The Phillies Zone

CLEARWATER, Fla. — If every day this spring is like Friday, Charlie Manuel will have no worries about his outfield.

Darin Ruf doubled in each of his first two at-bats during the intrasquad game. Domonic Brown singled and doubled his two times up.

"Ruf and Brown had a good day, didn't they?" Manuel said. "They had two good at-bats. We'll see. They'll play [Saturday]."

And so begins the ferentic competition for outfield jobs. With Delmon Young (ankle) sidelined, both Ruf and Brown will play often. Ruf will bat fifth in Saturday's Grapefruit League opener with Brown hitting sixth.

EXTRA BASES. Chase Utley struck out swinging and walked in his two plate appearances Friday. He also helped turn two double plays at second base. He will bat third for Manuel on Saturday. ... The only regular not starting Saturday is Jimmy Rollins. Ryan Howard will play both Saturday and Sunday, Manuel said. ... The Phillies released infielder Andres Blanco, who suffered a shoulder injury during winter ball. They then re-signed him to a minor-league deal but without an invitation to major-league camp.

Published: February 22, 2013 — 3:54 PM EST
The Philadelphia Inquirer

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